Press Releases

Mar112015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Tom Rice (R-SC) introduced H.R. 1137, the Promoting Accountability In Decisions (PAID) for Progress Act. This legislation would reduce salaries by 8.7 percent for bureaucrats making more than $100,000 until the economy recovers to pre-recession levels.

Since the Great Recession began in 2007, real median household income has dropped 8.7 percent. This decrease in pay has made it difficult for American families to get back on their feet. Meanwhile, during the same time period, the average federal bureaucrat salary has ballooned nearly 18 percent.

“When the economy tanked, middle-class families and mid-level American workers were hit the hardest,” said Congressman Rice. “Government regulations have restricted recovery, causing every day expenses like gas, groceries, and electricity to eat up families’ budgets. Meanwhile, the federal bureaucrats making these decisions and imposing regulations, are taking home six-figure salaries.”

“The PAID for Progress Act would cut regulators’ salaries until the economy recovers, giving them an incentive to get government out of the way so the free market system can work,” Rice continued. “When take-home pay for everyday Americans returns to pre-2007 levels, so will federal government salaries.”

The PAID for Progress Act would not cut active military officials’ salaries, but would reduce salaries for elected federal officials. The legislation has been referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on House Administration.